News: Hunger + Food Security

Our advocates know that meaningful change takes time – a win today only leads to change tomorrow if advocacy is ongoing.

Whether it is the restoration of state-funded food benefits for immigrants or the creation of access to counsel in eviction cases, when we take on issues, we are making a long-term commitment. 

The successes we’ve had in the past few months are the result of that committed advocacy – and will be the catalyst for more wins down the road. Thank you for joining us on this journey towards justice. 

On May 9, 2023, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means released its budget proposal for fiscal year 2024. In addition to providing an analysis of the budget, MLRI is working alongside coalition partners to advocate for amendments that would allow the budget to better serve low-income people. We encourage you to reach out to your State Senators to ask them to support these crucial amendments. Find your State Senator and their contact information here.

Our state budget is a representation of our values – what is funded is the foundation of our state’s future, and the state only funds what we fight for.

The budget process can be intimidating to even the most seasoned of observers, which is why every year MLRI advocates analyze the Gubernatorial, House, and Senate budget proposals to see how they will impact low-income residents of the Commonwealth.

This analysis forms the basis of our advocacy. We support parts of the budget that benefit low-income people and we promote amendments that would make the budget a stronger tool for fighting poverty. 

Boston, MA (March 29, 2023) – The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute applauds the state legislature’s passage and Governor Healey’s enaction of the FY23 supplemental budget, which includes critically important provisions for low-income Massachusetts residents facing food insecurity and housing instability. 

Boston MA (January 31, 2023) – The supplemental budget for fiscal year 2023 filed yesterday by Governor Healey takes three major steps towards reducing hunger for Massachusetts families.

MLRI joins 34 anti-hunger organizations in extending admiration and gratitude to Chairman McGovern for his ceaseless dedication to fighting food insecurity throughout his tenure in Congress. We are thankful for his championing of anti-hunger issues and pushing forward the funding that made the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health possible.

On Wednesday, September 28, the Biden-Harris Administration will host the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. This conference is only the second of its kind – the previous was held in 1969.

The 1969 event was critical in the creation of school lunch programs and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). It also led to crucial changes to how the USA labels food.

Gina Plata-Nino will be representing Mass Law Reform at Wednesday’s conference.

On May 10, 2022, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means released its budget proposal for fiscal year 2023 (FY 23), which is referred to as Senate 4.  The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute prepared this analysis of selected budget topics impacting low-income residents of the Commonwealth:

• Cash Assistance, SNAP and Related Items Administered by DTA
• Child Welfare: DCF and Related Items
• Criminal Justice Reform
• Health Issues in MassHealth and ConnectorCare
• Homeless Services
• Housing
• Legal Services/Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation